The commissioning stage of your UPS installation is absolutely essential, involving the checking and testing of each component, the environment, and the system as a whole. If carried out correctly, it will prove that your UPS is working, and working at its best. It can increase the longevity of your system, and give you the peace of mind of knowing that it will work in the event of a power issue.
If carried out incorrectly, however, mistakes made during the commissioning stage can be catastrophic to your system and its performance. Here we will highlight some of the most common mistakes made, and how you can avoid them when installing your UPS system…
What is UPS commissioning?
UPS commissioning is perhaps the most vital stage of your UPS installation. It is the stage that ensures that your UPS has been correctly installed, that each component has been tested, and that your whole system is perfectly calibrated for optimal performance.
Commissioning involves over 100 separate checks, making certain that your UPS is working correctly and up to safety and performance standards. Far too often these checks are rushed, skipped, or carried out improperly, leading to issues with your system that can be truly damaging and irreversible.
Many businesses choose UPS Solutions for their commissioning needs, guaranteeing that the process is completed by professionals without any missteps. If you are looking to commission your UPS, here are some of the more common mistakes for you to try and avoid…
Skipping pre-commissioning checks
Before you dive right into commissioning your UPS, there are a series of pre-commissioning checks that should be carried out. Failure to do so can mean missing out on key issues that can harm the longevity of your UPS, and make the actual commissioning stage somewhat pointless.
Some of the main checks you should carry out include checking the environment in which your UPS is installed. Watch out for temperature fluctuations, and check that you have the correct airflow and that there isn’t a build-up of dust and debris. You should check the wiring, and the hardware, and visually inspect your UPS and its surroundings for any potential pitfalls.
Inadequate planning and coordination
To correctly commission your UPS requires the coordination of many different parties. You may require engineers, electricians, and members of your own team to come together and ensure that your UPS is performing as it should. This is a key area where using professional installation and maintenance technicians is the best option.
At UPS Solutions our experts have the knowledge and skills to coordinate your UPS commissioning so that every angle is looked at, and all your bases covered.
Skipping key functionality tests
When it comes to your UPS commissioning, every step is important. Missing one check, one test of one component could mean missing a potential issue. One that will impact whether or not your UPS system works in the event of a power outage. It is imperative that you assess your UPS under a variety of loads and conditions to be sure that it can withstand the levels required.
These tests are also essential from a health and safety perspective, which is why the experts at UPS Solutions take each step of the commissioning process seriously. Each component is checked and tested, and the functionality of the system as a whole is tested under a series of different conditions.
Improper calibration
Calibrating your UPS to suit your needs and specifications is a critical part of commissioning and one that requires a great deal of finesse and patience. Rushing this step can mean that your UPS is left with an inaccurate and insufficient runtime that leads to power loss. As well as all the consequences that go along with a loss of power, such as damage to equipment and loss of data.
Perfectly calibrating your UPS can be tricky, which is why so many businesses contact UPS Solutions to carry out this key step, as well as each of the others in the commissioning process.
Ignoring manufacturer’s guidelines
Far too often in the commissioning process, individuals fail to properly read and refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines, and therefore miss out on important information. The manufacturer will have laid out what you should and should not do in detail, and ignoring this key document can lead to disaster.
Neglecting documentation
Proper documentation is critical for so many reasons. It will tell you what checks have been carried out and when, how your system has been configured, and what adjustments were needed. This documentation can mean the difference between knowing exactly how to care for your UPS, and problems being missed that lead to system failure.
Hiring the experts to maintain your UPS also means that they will do an expert job at keeping and updating any records. Guaranteeing that no test is missed and that your UPS is working as it should.
Conclusion
The biggest threat to your UPS system performing at its best is a failure to contact a professional commissioning service. A lack of training and expertise can lead to mishandling of equipment, missed tests, and missteps in this utterly crucial process. Meticulous attention to detail is required if you are to have a high-performing, fully functioning and long-lasting UPS system.
The only way to truly avoid problems now and in the future is to contact the experts at UPS Solutions for your UPS commissioning needs.
